An enthusiastic applause erupted from about 50 audience members at the Fogelman Executive Center Tuesday as Shirley Raines was named the 11th president of The University of Memphis.
The announcement was made by Charles Manning, chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents, during a telephone conference call at 1 p.m. in room 136 of the FEC.
"I am here awaiting the bliss of hopefulness, hoping for the best," said U of M Staff Senate president and crime prevention specialist Maurice Williams as he awaited the decision.
Manning spoke first during the telephone broadcast, announcing the Board of Regents had approved his nomination of Raines, vice chancellor for academic services and dean of the College of Education at the University of Kentucky.
"I have talked with several groups about the three candidates," Manning said. "I have received enthusiastic reports for Dr. Shirley Raines, and I am pleased to present her as the new president of The University of Memphis."
A positive reaction from the audience followed the announcement and many sighed with relief.
Sheila Owen, coordinator of Extended Programs, said she was pleased with the results.
"The three candidates were all very good," Owen said. "However, she seemed to receive a better reaction than the others. I am looking forward to her coming."
"I have been covering the search very closely," Memphis Flyer reporter Chris Przybyszewski said. "I think it's cool that she considers it a privilege to be here and not the other way around, which is the impression that I got from the other candidates."
Immediately after Manning's announcement, Raines, a 55-year-old native of Jackson, Tenn., spoke of her appointment by telephone.
"I would like to thank the search committee, the Board of Regents, faculty and staff who participated in the process," Raines said. "I am really excited about our future together, but now that this election process is over, I also want to offer an invitation.
I want to invite all the high school students who are deciding on where to attend college in the year 2001 to join me at The University of Memphis. To the adults who want to advance their degrees or who want to advance in their careers, then my request is to come to The University of Memphis. To the faculty and staff who are considering positions at our university, my message is to come to The University of Memphis. To the community leaders, my goal is to meet you in the community throughout the city and the entire Mid-South region to tell you about The University of Memphis."
U of M students Tuesday said they simply want a president who makes plenty of public appearances and wouldn't leave after a short period of time.
"I was here for two years before President Rawlins left, and I never saw him," senior journalism major Daniel Johnson said.
"I want a president who won't leave us," senior journalism major Laurie Coley said. "I am tired of people dropping us and leaving."
Raines is leaving her current position as vice chancellor for academic services and dean of the College of Education at The University of Kentucky to become the next U of M president.
"My husband Bob and I are coming to Memphis on Thursday and will be at The Pyramid on Friday night to cheer for Coach Calipari and our University of Memphis Tigers," Raines said. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity to work with you."
Raines is scheduled to hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday in Room 136 of the Fogelman Executive Center.
